3/8/09 REPORTS: IL/IN/MO

[Jarrod Cook]

Mark Sefried and myself decided to chase today, even though we knew it was a marginal setup. It was Sunday and didn't have plans, so figured we would dust off the equipment and give it a shot. The storms were so lame we didn't even take any photos or video.

Got into position to intercept the "middle storm" that was entering into IL from MO, as the southern one was headed into bad chase terrain and appeared to be lining out. We got into place around Hamel, IL (Madison co.) and waited for it. It quickly turned into mush after it passed over STL and into IL. At this time, the northern storm was TOR warned and we decided to head back this way, as it was closer to the warm front anyways. This storm was not catchable, so we once again went for a cell to our south that quickly developed. Noted a brief and very weak wall cloud (no rotation) and followed it by heading NE on IL-16 as it paralled that road. Had to go through several podunk towns that slowed us down just enough for the storm to be uncatchable. Gave up at this point and enjoyed the post-storm non-TSTM winds. Measured a gust to 50 MPH on the new inspeed southeast of Decatur.

Next time, like Andrew said, I'll just head to SPI and save the trouble.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/product.php?site=ILX&product=PNS&issuedby=ILX

 

[Ben Holcomb]

I did a solo chase on Sunday. It was really good to get out. I managed to get on the cell in Southern Indiana that dropped the EF-3, and only missed it by about 15 minutes. I have a write up on my website at http://www.benholcomb.com/20090308.html

As far as the storms, they were moving at 70mph according to one of the warnings. There was no chance I was going to keep up with them. On top of that, I found out really quick that South Central Indiana is terrible chase country. It felt like I was chasing in the Smokey Mountains, complete with ear popping.

 

[Chip Redmond]

Write up is finally posted on our website. Heres the link: http://www.scalialab.com/news/chase_3-8-09.html


Chip